I have been writing blog posts about various topics for over a year now, and these are categorized in date order. That means some people may not have seen my earlier posts which offer lots of guidance on various DV related matters. I am often therefore asked questions and have to point people at an old article.
SO – I have organized many of the old posts into a FAQ page which can be reached by clicking this link (and is also available through the menu at the top of every page). So – before you ask a question, please take a moment to check the FAQ.
Please also remember the site has a search function and can be translated into around 80 languages with a click of a button. The FAQ, the search and the translate button are all shown below:-
December 21, 2018 at 18:26
Hi,my case number is in 24xxx can you please acknowledge me on when will be my interview
December 21, 2018 at 23:39
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-basic-questions/
September 12, 2018 at 11:19
Hi britt after the interview the ceac shows refused
What is not happening?
Thanks
September 12, 2018 at 14:10
It sounds like you are not getting a visa.
July 6, 2018 at 22:55
Brit case number AF 386**
Thanks .
July 6, 2018 at 22:32
Hi Brit I please want to ask this my husband and I wrote to kcc about our case and they made us to understand that our case has completed processing so its pending embassy review,so now we want to know if while wait we can go ahead with the medicals could it be a problem ?Advice ….
Thanks .
July 7, 2018 at 15:19
Wait until you get the 2NL.
July 6, 2018 at 19:32
I attended my visa interview on 2 july (and it got approved).
I have been checking from the interview date on the CEAC website for the status of my case it says “READY”.
Is there any waiting time limit for the status to change to “Issued”?
July 7, 2018 at 15:07
No
February 20, 2018 at 10:35
hi britsimon in kenya can someone qualify IGCSE INTERNATIONAL-GENERAL CERTIFICATE SECONDARY
February 20, 2018 at 14:46
I don’t know the education system in Kenya, nor the standard required by the embassy there.
January 26, 2018 at 12:51
Hi my sister won 2018 and she is from Somalia all her documents are Somalia so will it possible to qualify her Kenyan hasband
January 26, 2018 at 14:19
Somalia is banned at the moment – so she probably cannot get the visa for herself, and therefore not her husband either.
October 30, 2017 at 08:06
HI Brit,
Do we need to attest/certify photocopy of our documents while going for the interview?
October 30, 2017 at 12:57
No – because you are providing originals and photocopies (all covered in the instructions)
September 11, 2017 at 20:29
would it would they refuse me visa because of the mistake I made with the names
September 11, 2017 at 21:01
Refusal is possible, but not very likely.
August 28, 2017 at 20:02
Hi britsimon
How are you doing
I entered the US in 9 August and got my green card today but no social security card yet even though I authorized SS administration to issue one for me in DS 260 ….. is this usual and what shoul I do in your opinion because I left the US
Thank you
August 28, 2017 at 20:40
You have to go to the SSA office.
March 26, 2016 at 05:32
Hello sir how you are doing? Brits you are great! as you suggest my interview was seat on appril 4, 2016 subbmitted ds 260 form on 8th June 2015 cn 22xxx ,and I prepared all the required documents and medical examination.let asked you how long does it takes to get visa ,what should my medical status be,and what questions raise by co @ z embassy,actually am asingle applicant txs sir bye!
March 26, 2016 at 05:48
Most visas are approved at interview and printed within a week or two after that.
You will have a medical exam prior to the interview – you must arrange that.
The questions are trivial – don’t worry about them.
March 26, 2016 at 06:00
thank you sir!
March 24, 2016 at 19:06
When is interview for cn af 29xxx?
March 24, 2016 at 20:06
Same answer I gave you yesterday!
https://britsimonsays.com/ceac-update-march-16-2016/#comment-31708
March 23, 2016 at 12:54
Which date do you really think 2nls letter will be out for may interview?
Mr B. SAY
March 23, 2016 at 13:57
Next few days.
March 21, 2016 at 19:47
Hi Brit when do you think We will startt to recieve uor appointment letter?
My csse is 2016SF00026xxx
March 21, 2016 at 21:39
within the next week.
March 18, 2016 at 10:56
hi Mr Simon.I need your help with this :we lived in a foreign country where my wife’s surname was misspelled in her identity document, when she gave birth the same mistaken surname was repeated in all our 4kids birth certificates, as it was difficult to get correction for her surname. now will this impact our interview ? her surname is Monicia but in the kids birth certificates it is Monica. we mentioned that misspelled name in her ds260 as other name used. she is my beneficiary am main applicant. can we ask for correction from that country for the kids birth certificates ? all other given names are correct. thx dear Mr Simon
March 18, 2016 at 14:39
If you can get all the documents corrected that would be better…
March 18, 2016 at 20:32
thx sir. what about in case the procedures of getting the documents corrected is longer and should the documents not be ready before the interview is it going to affect our case during the interview with the CO? as rescheduling the interview date is not a good idea. thx. how can we explain that to the CO?
March 18, 2016 at 20:47
Explain the truth. If you don’t present all the documents on the day of the interview you will be on AP until you supply the docs.
March 18, 2016 at 05:23
Hi
Thanks alot for every thing you do!
I have a question please and do not know if im posting my question in the approprait place!
My question is, I am filling my G325A form and the space to write the middle name is not enough because I have two middle names.
I need your advice if you do minde!
Sincerely,
March 18, 2016 at 05:47
I don’t know. Use your best judgement.
March 16, 2016 at 23:10
The notification says that I should make sure that my ds260 informations must be correct inorder to make my processing not to delay. And on my ds260 form I Missed spell my spouse name with a letter Bendu I said Bandu. Under my family information but I am not the principal applicant she is but on her form I make no mistake.
March 17, 2016 at 00:00
I don’t think that would cause denial BUT if you are not scheduled already I would recommend unlocking and correcting.
March 15, 2016 at 22:49
BritSimon hello and its me again!
My friend send me taxes of 2014 i have interview in aprill it is a problem? Hi take new taxes of 2015 after i make interview
March 15, 2016 at 22:55
Get a 2015 W2 and recent payslips in addition to the 2014 tax document.
March 15, 2016 at 06:53
Hi Brit,
I received a re rightification notic from kcc
Telling me that I should make sure that my informations are all correct inorder not to waste time with my csse
2016AF00026XXX
PLEASE ADVICE ME SIR, I AM CONFUSE
March 15, 2016 at 14:14
What exactly did the notification say?
March 12, 2016 at 15:54
Any advice on whether to hire a lawyer for I-601 and I-212 applications or try file them without a lawyer?
March 12, 2016 at 16:41
I cannot help you with those – so I would get a lawyer personally…
March 12, 2016 at 15:26
Hello BritSimon ,
1-I have my passport , so when I check my status I ll never see issue even cleared from AP ( as issue mean Visa in printing process ) isn’t it ? So the email notification is important than check status and may I m cleared but still in AP till i resumbit back the passport and begin to print !
2- Even there is no magic Numbers for updates or it is meaningless but dose the daily update ( 10 time since i m on AP for last 10 days ) like no update since long time ??!! Is that equal ?
3-Can u made atopics ( 2016 AP ) to share our activity and be look like group therapy ???
Thanx for ur patience
How old u r , Simon ?
March 12, 2016 at 15:33
1. When you have your passport the embassy will have to wait until the AP clears, then request your passport to be sent in and only then can they print the visa. So yes – you are waiting for them to contact you.
2. 10 a day, 1 in a month – all meaningless. You cannot read anything into the number or frequency of the updates.
3. There is such a thread here – http://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2016-administrative-processing-cases.329180/
I’m 51.
March 12, 2016 at 13:59
Hi Simon,
I have some questions:
I’m changing my Nationality and I haven’t got my new Passport yet.
the office told me it could take 2 weeks or 2-3 months.
If I get it, should I unlock my DS or should I just bring my old Passport and the new passport to the interview.
I don’t want to unlock my DS 260 since I don’t know how long KCC will take to proceed it and I might miss out my interview.
Is it a risk not to unlock my DS 260 and correct it and is it fine to bring all 2 passports?
Case number 447xx
What would you do?
Thank you
March 12, 2016 at 14:53
It depends when the new passport arrives. It would be better to unlock, so if you get the new one early enough then I would do that. Your number won’t be scheduled until June most likely, so you probably have time. It won’t cause much delay, since KCC are processing DS260s fast now anyway. If you had already been living in that new country, it probably won’t add any time at all.
March 11, 2016 at 08:22
Hello Simon , me again and again ,,
1- Dose the color of paper mean something for AP as i read from posts some given white other pink or blue ?
2- Dose the CO know I paid the fee of GC ? and this can change the speed of clearance ? Or even these numbers make them speed the process ?
3-The numbers of GC fee that provided me at interview dose mean the visa will stay and no need for re- allocation ?
4-At critical time ( august or september ) hoping not reach this time , can I send my passport back to embassy by DHL telling i ll not go outside for the coming period and to gain speed if visa issued at critical time ?
5- As u post previously the most AP cleared at last two months , so the higher clearance occur at that time ?
March 11, 2016 at 15:32
1. The colors relate to the decision, one for approved, one for refused, one for AP
2. No and No.
3. No.
4. No. YOU cannot control anything.
5. THey do seem to push to clear as many as possible in the last 2 months.
March 9, 2016 at 18:00
Hi Mr. Simon , me again ,
I gave them three DHL prepaid bills for three members ( applicant and two beniciaries ) and when I tract the numbers just my Number show tract and other didnt , wat thats mean sent three passport in one package ? Or just my passport ? And only one number included in email of embassy !
March 9, 2016 at 18:06
Yes they probably sent three in one packet. You seem very stressed and anxious. Calm down, relax. There is nothing you can do to improve things – stressing won’t help.
March 9, 2016 at 16:01
How dont worry and they send me that :
And we cannot estimate how long this processing stage will take. However, we will send you back your passports in case you want to leave country,
We’ll send your package via DHL tracking numbers: XXXXXXXX, using the prepaid air way bill you already provided.
They will return back my passport !
March 9, 2016 at 16:19
So you really are in AP – there is no doubt. Something made them want additional checks after your interview. There is literally no way to predict how long this will take, sometimes weeks, sometimes months. The updates on your case are meaningless, there is no magic number of updates needed, nothing like that. There is nothing you can do to make it go faster, you can only wait.
March 9, 2016 at 12:27
Hello Simon ,
I m so horribly worried and in deep insult as my dream and my big hope was put on AP as they inform me on email , they gave me a paper of how pay the GC fees and I paid it two days after interview because of happiness i couldn’t wait . It was so SEVERE attack never felt before when they knew me that , I m still keeping positive.
1:Please inform me about any predilection of AP ( plz not tell wait and see ) need any period concerning the Baghdad embassy ? All needed documents were submitted they put for checking .
2: They gave me alien No. And DOS id in handout , is that mean the visa allocation will remain same or may they change these numbers after ? And the fees I paid for GC can repaid again if new number release ?
3: are these Numbers Meant even some hope of near clearance from AP ?
4: I got three updates in three successive days in my status , is that related to speed up the AP ?
I m ready to do step 1 exam of USMLE but now lost the concentration ….. Wish my dream retract again .
Thanx for every thing Simon .
March 9, 2016 at 14:29
There is nothing I can predict about your AP (if you are even on AP). Normally giving you these numbers means you were approved. I think you are worrying for nothing. Just relax.
March 9, 2016 at 08:51
When do you think letters will start coming out.
March 9, 2016 at 14:30
2 or 3 weeks time….
March 4, 2016 at 05:51
Hello Simon ,
I attended the interview and they give me congratulations paper and how to pay feed of GC , but I just recieve an email now says ”
We are still processing your case and hope to complete the process as soon as possible. Please answer all questions listed below. This is just for yourself.”
And all the listed below information that mentioned i sent to them completely , wat this email mean ?
Am I put on AP ??!!!!!!
The congratulations paper did mean the visa is not approved ?!!!!
They took our passport , i m so horribly confused
March 4, 2016 at 06:16
No need to panic. Just wait a couple of days and see what happens to your CEAC status. Relax!
March 3, 2016 at 08:17
Hello Mr.Simon ,
I attended the interview , i ll share experience later .
Thanx for ur great help .
My quetsion :
They took our passports and give me paper including how to pay a fee for GC with alien number and dos Id but not recieve the visa till a week or so ,can i pay the fee now or wait the passport with visa?
Best regard
March 3, 2016 at 14:38
Wait for the passport.
March 1, 2016 at 22:50
Sir, Can I get my case number from KC without my agents ?
March 1, 2016 at 22:54
No.
March 1, 2016 at 16:37
OK, I was thinking to correct it with pencil, but since it is typed, it will become visible. So, you suggest not to correct the 1 into 2, just leave it as it is?
Does this ever happened to anyone else and what was the CO reaction ?
Sorry for taking your time again.
Cheers
March 1, 2016 at 17:49
DO NOT CORRECT IT!
This is trivial. Forget it.
March 1, 2016 at 12:47
Hello Brit,
How are you ? Hope everything is fine.
My interview is in the end of March and I have all my docs ready, but I just noticed that my friend put my age by mistake at the I-134 form as 31 years old, in fact I am 32 .
Do you think I need another I-134 to fix that mistake or it won’t be an issue for the CO ?
Hope for a prompt feedback,
All the best,
God bless you
Evi
March 1, 2016 at 14:17
No issue.
March 1, 2016 at 00:27
i did all that and even change the computer but still sending the same error message